Data visualization is the use of tools to represent data in the form of charts, maps, tag clouds, animations, or any graphical means that make content easier to understand. Graphic representations of data are popular because they open up the way we think about data, reveal hidden patterns, and highlight connections among elements.

The seven things are illustrated with a real-world scenario which provides some context and helps understanding the value of visualization methods to communicate information. If you’re new to the field or want to learn about an example use case for effective data visualization, I recommend having a look at this 2 page PDF.